Resurrection

A massive fire ferociously devastated partially Notre Dame in Paris last Monday destroying the 850-year-old cathedral’s iconic spire and roof. With its collapse, the city’s skyline had been altered and a powerful symbol of Catholicism gone in matter of minutes. As firefighters battled the blaze, Parisians gathered outside in tears, many raising their voices in prayer with the feeling that the very heart of the country had stopped momentarily. Notre Dame has been the symbol of France. French author Bernard-Henri Levy noted that more than a house of worship “it’s the symbol of French culture, architecture and history.” Many were just shocked silently because as one onlooker said: “Paris without Notre Dame is madness.”

As soon as the horrific fire had been extinguished, French President Emmanuel Macron was quick to promise. “We will rebuild Notre-Dame because that’s what our history deserves, because that is our destiny.” Many companies and business tycoons too have pledge their support to restore one of its defining icons. I am struck that many around the world were moved by the burning of Notre Dame. Many found a connection to this icon that captures beauty, faith, art and history. What really built this cathedral was more than money. It was built by the faith of the French people. And if it has to be properly restored, they need to return to the original faith that built it. It is this faith that causes one to look up, to wonder and to worship. It is faith that makes us rise from the ashes.

The timing of the cathedral burning cannot be overlooked. It happened during the Holy Week. Notre Dame has stood above Paris for centuries. It is a masterpiece of gothic architecture with thirteen million visitors annually. What Parisians considered a permanent icon is now in ruins. Nothing is ever permanent. Earthly treasures never last. But there is a permanent lesson we can learn from the events of the Holy Week that stretches far beyond history. Because of his resurrection, Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. As G. K. Chesterton wrote “Christianity has died many times and risen again; for it had a God who knew the way out of the grave.” And should we aspire for permanence and eternal life, Jesus has the answer. 

Happy Easter everyone!

The Paschal Mystery

Today we begin the Holy Week, the heart of the Christian faith, during which we remember the last week of Jesus’ life. It begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Easter Sunday. Holy Week observances began in Jerusalem in the earliest days of the Church when devout Christians travelled to Jerusalem at Passover to reenact the events leading to the Resurrection. Its purpose is to relive and participate in the passion of the Lord. Our being Christians is, in fact, making a pilgrimage with Christ; to journey towards our own Jerusalem in order to rise with Him.

Jesus began his pilgrimage in Galilee. The last part of the journey was from Jericho to Jerusalem. Geographically, Jericho is 250 meters below sea-level. Literally, the pilgrim makes a difficult ascent of more than 1,000 meters. It is both challenging and tiresome. It becomes an icon of a much arduous spiritual journey in life. As Jesus went forward despite the threats, rejections and sufferings awaiting him, we need to move forward in life accepting and embracing our own crosses. Our Jerusalem is the place where God is calling us to do his will.

Our liturgy combines two contrasting moments in Jesus’ life – praise and passion. The contrast is vividly striking. After the royal welcome and the hosanna of the crowd, the drama of his unjust trial culminates in his crucifixion. We are all invited to relive his Paschal Mystery – his suffering, death and resurrection – all in one continuum. Our life itself is made up of contrasting moments of joy and sorrow, sunshine and rain, light and shadows. Despite the contrast we learn to hope.

The Holy Week shows us the power of the Paschal Mystery of Jesus. There can be no empty tomb without Calvary; there is no Easter joy without the tragedy of the cross. In the end, Jesus showed us that love is mightier than hate; grace is greater than sin and life always triumphs over death. The story of the cross is a perpetual reminder that a selfless life can change the world.

Casting the First Stone

A story is told about a man who carried the burden of a secret sin he had committed in his younger years. Though he had long confessed and repented of it, still he found no peace in his heart. One night, he had a dream in which he saw Jesus standing on a meadow surrounded by a flock of sheep. Grateful for this opportunity, he came near him in order to ask: “Lord, do you still remember the sin I committed back in high school?” Jesus smiled sweetly and reassured him: “I don’t remember.”

Today’s gospel (Jn 8:1-11) presents a powerful narrative of Jesus with a woman accused of adultery. It happened in the precincts of the temple in Jerusalem where he was teaching. The scenario must have been intensely dramatic calculated to cause the woman tremendous shame. In the Jewish Code, there were three grave sins that merited the punishment of death by stoning: idolatry, murder and adultery. Moreover, it was a difficult trap because his opponents used this very occasion to embarrass Jesus.

Jesus finally gave his verdict: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” In other words, he warned them: Let this woman be punished, but not by sinners; let the law be applied, but not by its transgressors. Thus Jesus brilliantly raised the issue to a higher level leaving the judgment to the consciences of the accusers. In the end, they all went away one by one, beginning with the elders.

The woman was let alone. Jesus became the instrument of God’s mercy. This story reminds us that God is willing to extend his loving patience for sinners that they may turn away from their sins. Jesus did not condemn her, but also sternly commanded her: “Go and sin no more.” Pope Francis said: God, indeed is never tired of forgiving us. Perhaps, it is us who get tired of asking for his mercy. Then he prayed, may we never tire of asking for what God never tires to give.”